Great River Race

Great River Race

On Saturday 27th September the 10 Duffers team took to the River Thames in a 10 person Bell Boat. Armed with just a paddle each they set off from Millwall ready to complete the 22mile course to Richmond.

With a last minute substitute due to illness, Lawrence replaced Louis to complete the final 10 Duffers team of Klaus, Deborah, Nick, Svend, Ian, Rob, Joel, Lawrence, Thomas and Victor.

After a tricky start due to a slight lack of practice, choppy waters and lots of other boats to navigate around they found their rhythm and were soon heading up river, under Tower Bridge and on through the city.

There was a great feeling on board with lots of smiles and cheers and having spent much of the time in a head to head race with a boat from Disney beating them by a length at the end was a fun way to finish.

Crossing the finish line in a very respectable time of just 3hrs 5mins they celebrated with an ice cold beer and there was even talk of doing it all over again next year!

However the best bit about this great day is that the team have raised over £1400, plus gift aid,for ThePromise and Royal Marsden Hospital with sponsorship still coming in -well done guys!

Sergey spends a lot of his day indoors playing on a mat, the freedom of a swing is amazing for him

Enjoying the sunshine together in Yelatma!

Nastya receives her first christmas present

Katya, Roma & Sergey learn how to play togteher by rolling a ball to each other

Galya, Katya, Masha, Pasha & Nastya spend time in the sunshine

Andre enjoys the tactile trays, with his support worker, in the new garden at Yelatma Orphanage

Pasha loves painting!

Andre has learnt to walk by himself, thanks to splints and lots of encouragement from his Portage worker - Well Done Andre!

Ann enjoys time with her portage worker & friends at the Community Team New Year Party

Dancing & Singing at the Community Team New Year Party with Father Frost

Lunch Time! The children now have tables to sit at and can enjoy meals together

Anya is 12 and has spent most of her life in bed. With Portage she now enjoys games, communicates and is learning to walk